Italian Nationals and the final Olympic qualifier meet also took place this weekend. Following the team announcement, a record three Italian Olympians are set to make their return. Here is the team:
Vanessa Ferrari (25) – was an all around world champion ten years ago. Over the past three quads she had been a floor finalist and medalist at Worlds and Euros. She has been fighting injury since before the 2015 Worlds and her participation in Rio was uncertain. For the past few months she kept a low profile, focusing on recovery and building strength. Last weekend, Ferrari became an Italian all around champion and she looks to ready to compete again at the highest level just in time for the Olympics.
Carlotta Ferlito (21) also a veteran that competed for team Italy at most of the major competitions since her debut, in 2011. Her favorite event is beam and after a period of uncertainty she seems to be back healthier, happier and more confident than ever before:
Erika Fasana (20) has been one of the instrumental members of team Italy since 2012. She has qualified for the event final on floor at the 2014 Worlds.
Elisa Meneghini (1997) she has been one to watch since she burst onto the scene at the 2012 Junior Euros. After a successful debut at the Senior level in 2013 she looked unable to regain her confidence and many were wondering whether Elisa would ever live up to her initial hype. In 2016 she seems to slowly recover her steadiness and has the potential to contribute with a good beam routine in qualifications and team final:
Martina Rizzeli (18) – a member of the 2014 Nanning Worlds team, Rizzeli was presumably selected for her uneven bars routine. She has qualified for the bars event finals at Euros in 2015 and 2016:
Reserve: Lara Mori
Article: Bea Gheorghisor
Photo Cover: Nadia Boyce
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